The Good, the bad and the Just Plain Ugly

IMAGES OF THE KOREAN MARTYRS

2011-07-01T12:44:00.000+01:00

I came across these while cleaning up my room. I think I brought them with me when we closed our house in Blanchardtown. These are some of the Korean Martyrs. Beautiful paintings of people who lived beautiful lives and died heroically.

St. Chong Ha-sang Paulus

St. Hyon Song-mun Carolus

St. Kim Song-u Antonius

St. Kim Tai-gon Andreas

St. Nam Chong-sam John B.

Sts. Chon Kyong-hyob Agatha, Pak Hui-sun Lucia, Kim Yuirdae Julietta

Sts. Chong Chong-hye Elisabeth, Yu So-sa Caecilia, Chong Ha-sang Paulus

Sts. Kim Hyo-im Colomba, Kim Hyo-ju Agnes

Sts. Yu Chin-gil Augustinus, Yu Tae-chol Petrus

CAUSES OF THE SAINTS: A REMINDER OF OUR CALLING

2011-06-27T15:12:00.000+01:00

From the VATICAN NEW SERVICE:

The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorised the promulgation of decrees concerning the following causes:

MIRACLES

- Servant of God Mariano Arciero, Italian diocesan priest (1707-1788).

- Servant of God Jean-Joseph (ne Alcide Lataste), French priest of the Order of Friars Preachers and founder of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Dominic of Betania (1832-1869).

- Servant of God Maria Ines-Teresa of the Blessed Sacrament Arias Espinosa (nee Manuela de Jesus), Mexican foundress of the Poor Clare Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and the Missionaries of Christ for the Universal Church (1904-1981).

- Servant of God Hildegard Burjan, German laywoman and foundress of the Sisters of Social Charity (1883-1933).

MARTYRDOM

- Servant of God Salvio Huix Miralpeix, bishop of Lleida, Spain, killed in hatred of the faith in 1936.

- Servant of God Karl Lampert, Austrian diocesan priest and pro-vicar of the apostolic administration of Innsbruck Feldkirch, killed in hatred of the faith in 1944.

- Servants of God Josefina Martinez Perez of the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, and twelve companions, killed in hatred of the faith in 1936.

HEROIC VIRTUES

- Servant of God Giovanni Marinoni (ne Francesco), Italian professed priest of the Order of Cleeks Regular Theatines (1490-1562).

- Servant of God Jose Maria Garcia Lahiguera, archbishop of Valencia, Spain, and founder of the Congregation of Oblate Sisters of Christ the Priest (1903-1989).

- Servant of God Matthew Kadalikattil, Indian diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1872-1935).

- Servant of God Raffaele Dimiccoli, Italian diocesan priest (1887-1956).

- Servant of God Sofia Czeska-Maciejowska, Polish foundress of the Congregation of the Virgins of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1584-1650).

- Servant of God Maria Giuseppina Benvenuti (nee Zeinab Alif), Sudanese professed religious of the Order of St. Clare (1845/46-1926).

- Servant of God Laura Meozzi, Italian professed religious of the Institute of Daughters of Our Lady of Help (1873-1951).

- Servant of God Luigia (Gina) Tincani, Italian foundress of the Union of St. Catherine of Siena of the Missionary Sisters of Schools (1889-1976).

I was just going to highlight the Poor Clare but then I thought that in heaven there are no distinctions; a saint is a saint and an inspiration and a challenge if we have ears to hear and a heart open to believe.

ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE FIORETTI BY F. CAYLEY-ROBINSON

2011-06-27T15:04:00.000+01:00

In 1915 the publisher T.N. Foulis published Cardinal Manning's translation of the Fioretti or 'Little Flowers' a famous early Franciscan collection of Stories about Francis, Clare and the early Franciscans. It was illustrated from the works of F. Cayley-Robinson (1862-1927). While moving and sorting our library I found a tattered copy of this work and decided to scan the images so I could share them with you. We might remove them from the book and get them framed.

Below are the illustrations:

FOUR ICONS, GURRANABRAHER, CORK

2011-05-04T20:01:00.000+01:00

Below are four icons I painted for the parish of the Ascension, Gurranabraher, Cork while I was a deacon there in 1999. The first, of Christ enthroned, is based on a work of Emmanuel Tzanes (1610-1690) and it's in the basement chapel. The other three of Christ Pantocrator, the Virgin Orans and the Holy Trinity (after Rublev) are in the oratory in the presbytery so are not often seen by anyone but the clergy.

They're a bit big for the oratory - I guess my enthusiasm ran away with me. I took a few too many liberties in my treatment of the Holy Trinity (ok I got carelss). I still plan to return to that image somewhere else and do a better job.

Painting an image which seeks to be faithful to the original and is at the same size has this extraordinary effect - it's like standing in the same space as the other painter, as one where looking not just over his shoulder but through his eyes.

SOME WORK BY RICHARD KING (1907 - 1974)

2011-04-29T15:54:00.000+01:00

Below are a number of postcards I have from years back. They are of the work of the Irish artist Richard King. We actually have quite a few of his works stored away as he was a regular contributor to the Capuchin Annual.

Richard King was born in Castlebar in 1907. His father was a sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary. There was an artistic streak in the family. His uncle, Brian King, was a sculptor. Richard attended the De La Salle College in Castlebar before his family moved to Westport in 1922, where he completed his education with the Christian Brothers.
When the family located to Dublin in 1926 he became a student at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, planning to study architecture. Austin Molloy, a tutor at the college, felt his artistic talent lay in a different direction.
He introduced him to Harry Clarke, the most significant Irish stained glass artist of the 20th century. King joined Clarke’s studio. On Clarke’s death in 1931, he became its chief designer, and later manager. In 1940 he set up his own studio in Dalkey.
Examples of King’s stained glass are mainly to be found in Ireland, though he also features in the UK, Australia and the US. In her article, Ruth Sheehy concentrates on his work in St Patrick’s Church, Newport, and in the Church of Our Lady, Help of Christians in Swinford.
King’s artistic achievements were not confined to the genre of stained glass. He was versatile. In the early years of the new Irish state our postage stamps were noteworthy for the quality of their design. Between 1933 and 1949, King provided designs for 12 stamps, including a hurling one in 1934 to mark the Golden Jubilee of the GAA. He was the leading illustrator for the Capuchin Annual. He exhibited paintings in Dublin and Cork.
He is, however, best known for his interest in liturgical art. The theologian, Paul Tillich, once wrote that it ‘is the task of the Church architects to create places of consecration where people feel able to contemplate the holy in the midst of their secular life’. As an architect of stained glass and a creator of church paintings, King implicitly devoted himself to this aim.
King’s paintings of the Stations of the Cross in Swinford are a striking impression of his artistic talent. Here he was especially influenced by the Spanish artist, El Greco, and the French artist, Georges Rouault, both noted for their dramatic representations of Jesus Christ. The stations concentrate intensely on Christ’s physical and psychological sufferings as he endured his passion. They give a close-up view, vigorously expressed by the use of strong contrasting colours such as reds, blues, yellows and whites.

Fr. Kevin Hegarty in the Mayo News.

They are in order of descent: Sts. Patrick, Bridget, Columcille, Columba, Fiacra, Senan, Lorcan (Lawrence) and Ita.

I hope you find them interesting.

FOUR ICONS FROM THE CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS, PRIORSWOOD, DUBLIN

2010-12-21T15:46:00.002Z

It being some time since I posted here and noticing that others were posting their own work I decided to post some images of my own icons. These four icons are in the parish church of St. Francis, Priorswood, Dublin (not far from the airport and the M50). The Deesis was made for the church and was painted in acrylic on MDF. Each icon is 118 x 89 cm and they are copies of a set kept at the Monastery of Dionysiou, Mt. Athos. They were blessed at the Easter Vigil 2001.

The remaining icon of the Theotokos Panagia was originally made for the now (sadly) defunct Sacred Heart chapel in Church St. It was made to fit over the door to the friary and sacristy and to complement another icon which sat over a stained glass image of the Sacred Heart. It is painted in egg tempera with gilding in both oil (outside the figures) and water (the area of the disk around the Christ child including his clothing) methods. It now sits over the door to the church from the sacristy in Priorswood.

You can see them in situ here at the St. Francis' parish virtual tour.

FRESCOES FROM THE BAPTISTRY OF AGIOS GREGORIOU, MOUNT ATHOS

2010-08-23T20:57:00.000+01:00

Back in 2005 I made a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, Greece with two other friars. We were much moved by the experience. That was before I got a digital camera so I am only now getting around to the task of scanning some of the many photos I took. This 'Baptistry' (I think that's what it was) struck me as particularly beautiful. We witnessed a liturgy there that involved a blessing and drinking of water, presumably with a renewal of baptismal/monastic vows.

The Font is on the left of this outer courtyard at Gregoriou.

Christ the Great Angel or Holy Wisdom in the centre of the Cupola

The Theotokos as the Life-giving Fountain

Christ heals the paralytic at the pool of Bethsaida

Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well

Christ's Baptism in the Jordan

1. Moses with the Theotokos as the Burning Bush. 2. St. Damian. 3. Assumption of Elijah in the firey chariot.

1. Assumption of Elijah. 2. St. St. Kosmos and the Grieving of the Israelites in Babylon (Ps. 137)

By the waters of Babylon (Ps137), St. Ermalaos, Christ heals the blind man.

St. Panteleimon, St. Nicholas calms the storm, St. Anastasia

St. Gregory, St. Tryphon and Athonite Saint with the Theotokos.

St. Aniketos, St. Akakios of Kavsokalyvia, St. Sampson.

OLD ROMAN CHANT: DOMINE QUINQUE TALENTI TRADISTI MICHI

2010-08-22T21:43:00.002+01:00

I found this over at Gloria.tv: nice for a Sunday evening.

CANON MISSAE AD USUM EPISCOPORUM AC PRAELATORUM 1934

2010-08-21T16:35:00.000+01:00

I was rooting around in one of our libraries and I found a copy of the Canon Missae ad usum Episcoporum ac Praelatorum solemniter vel private celebrantium from 1934. While examining this beautiful book that comes with it's own 'folder' I came across this page which is the beginning of the Canon itself, just after the preface. Why are our modern missals so drab and functional in comparison?

STAINED GLASS WINDDOWS: ST. PATRICK'S, TRIM, CO. MEATH

2010-08-15T16:57:00.000+01:00

Further photos from St. Patrick's, Trim:

St. Brigid

St. Oliver Plunkett

Sacred Heart revealed to St. Margaret Mary

Immacualte Conception revealed to St. Bernadette

St. Columba

St. Anne and the Blessed Virgin

St. Loman

St. Therese of Lisieux

The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin

The Holy Family

South transept: St. Patrick before the High King

Sacred Heart

ST. PATRICK'S, TRIM, CO. MEATH

2010-08-10T20:01:00.000+01:00

I celebrated a wedding at St. Patrick's church in Trim co. Meath a few weeks back. The lovely couple should be on their back from sunnier climes by now. All went well and it didn't hurt that they picked this gem of a church for their wedding. St. Patrick's dates from 1891, when the first stone was laid and it was finished in 1902. It is a gothic style church with spectacular stained glass windows and beautiful moasiac work. The marble altars were made by Pearse Brothers, one of whom was the father of Padraig Pearse executed, along with his innocent brother Willie, for his involvement as a leader of the 1916 Easter Rising against the British.

The church is very close to the Castle (one can see one from the other) and is well worth a visit if you're in Trim. I don't know who the architect was but he did a beautiful job.

sanctuary ceiling

reredos

to the left of the altar

behind the altar

front of the sanctuary at the bottom of the steps

the Font

Sanctuary Lamp

frontal view of altar and reredos

part of sanctuary floor mosaics

EARLY MORNING STAINED GLASS, IRELAND

2010-07-07T23:33:00.001+01:00

Early one morning last week while praying in the church at Gormanstown where our Provincial Chapter was occurring I looked up and saw this. I just couldn't resist a photo. Doesn't do it justice.

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS, HALSTON STREET, DUBLIN.

2010-05-23T20:51:00.005+01:00

The above stained glass window is from St. Michan's Church, Halston St. Dublin and was taken by Br. Richard Hendrick OFM Cap. St. Michan's is Dublin's oldest parish. Truly beautiful. The photos can be viewed here.

CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, ANNAGH, BELTURBET, CO. CAVAN

2010-02-04T21:28:00.004Z

I was at a funeral in Belturbet, Co. Cavan today. The deceased, Frank Maguire, was the 96 year old father of one of my colleagues in the school. I also know three of his grandchildren. Please keep his soul and his family in your prayers. While there I grabbed two, unfortunately blurry, pics of the church interior. They don't do it justice. Unfortunately my batteries died (an all too regular occurrence!)

CHINESE CHASUBLE IN IRELAND

2009-11-14T12:21:00.006Z

In 1943 a Chinese priest came to Ireland, to St. Columban's in Dalgan Co. Meath to learn English. He struck up a friendship with the Mercy Sisters in nearby Navan and when he returned to China he had a set of vestments made and sent to them. On September 7th 1951 he was arrested and imprisoned by the Communists. On January 30th 1953 he died from pleurisy in a Shanghai jail another martyr for the Faith.
I think both the life, the sacrifice and the chasuble from the set (on display in Dalgan) are beautiful.

Below is the Chasuble:

A closer look:

2009-11-05T22:22:00.006Z

I was back with Fifth year students in the Columban mother house in Dalgan Co. Meath and took these photos of their stained glass outside the chapel. They look like they may be by Harry Clarke or his studio.

ST. LAWRENCE O'TOOLE, ROUNDWOOD CO. WICKLOW

2009-10-13T21:30:00.009+01:00

I officiated at the marriage of a lovely young couple on Saturday in St. Lawrence O'Toole's, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow. The day was cold but all went well. Roundwood is reputedly the highest village in Ireland and they have a lovely church. The statues and stations have recently been restored by two painters, one an Irish art student and the other an Argentinian parishionner. They've done a good job. A parishioner told me the original reredos was removed many years ago and it was a loss to the sanctuary which now lacks something. Otherwise its a beautiful, simple church.

CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL, DUBLIN

2009-07-07T22:20:00.006+01:00

I have been into Christchurch Cathedral twice in the last two weeks to see the exhibition of icons by Ludmila Pawlowska. The icons are beautiful but her modern art did nothing for me. Christchurch is surprisingly small inside. Originally, of course, it was Catholic and then the Reformation (or 'revolution') occurred and it became Anglican. Interestingly they retain the altar rails and a rood screen separating the nave from the choir. It's a beautiful church and well kept (entry is €6 for an adult). While there I heard a concert given by the Riverside City College Chamber Choir of California (director John Byun). They were very good though I was disappointed that there were no pieces by Irish composers.

The beautiful font reminds us of our unity in this sacrament. Thanks to the decision of Pope Sylvester that the Roman tradition of accepting the baptism of heretics and schismatics once they used the correct formula kept the door open for modern efforts to restore the unity of the Church. I feel whenever I am in such a church that I am walking on ground that has been usurped and feel I should quietly ask 'when are you going to give it back?'

My photo of the pulpit without flash was too blurred but the flash, while giving clarity, flattens the picture. This is a fine piece of work but I don't know how hold it is.

So if you happen to be in Dublin take some time and pay a visit.

ALTAR OF ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS

2009-05-17T14:33:00.004+01:00

This is the altar of St. Mary of the Angels, Church St., and it shows the Blessed Virgin presenting St. Francis to Christ.

ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS, CHURCH ST., DUBLIN

2009-05-17T14:30:00.003+01:00

Last night the Catholic Underground group came to Chruch St., Dublin and I took it as a good opportunity to show you our church there. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.

MOSAIC FLOOR, DALGAN

2009-05-07T21:22:00.003+01:00

Above is the mosaic floor of the entrance hall of the Columban Motherhouse. "Euntes docetes omnes gentes" are the words of our Lord and mean 'Go teach all nations' an injunction that the Columbans have taken to heart. The 'P' and 'X' in the middle is the Chi-Rho symbol taken from the first two letters of 'Christ' in Greek and it symbolises not only His name but His kingdom too. In the corners one can see the shields of two of Ireland's four provinces, Ulster on the left and Leinster on the right. The shield of Ulster has the Red Hand of the O'Neills, hereditary Kings of Ulster on the Red Cross on a gold banner of the de Burgos. The Leinster shield has the Irish harp on a Green field. The Irish President's banner is a golden harp with silver strings on an azure field. Of the other two provinces Connacht has a blue and white field with an arm holding a sword united to half an eagle (said to symbolize the unity of Old English and Gael) while Munster has three gold crowns on an azure field (symbolizing its three greatest lordships). I point this floor our to our students when we bring them to Dalgan. A little beauty ennobles the soul.

COLUMBAN MOTHER HOUSE

2009-04-28T17:02:00.001+01:00

CHURCH OF THE COLUMBAN MOTHERHOUSE, CO. MEATH

2009-04-28T16:53:00.007+01:00

The above chapel or church is part of the Columban mother house in Dalgan, Co. Meath, Ireland. The Columban's are an Irish order founded by two diocesan priests to provide missionaries for Asia. It was the intact ciborium that caught my eye.

Three Capuchin Wooden Tabernacles: Taberncle One

2009-04-16T14:16:00.001+01:00

The image above is the other side to the one below complete with statuettes of unidentified Capuchin Saints.

Tabernacle One: the Other Side

2009-04-16T14:13:00.003+01:00

The above Tabernacle features three statues that are visible (more on the other side). Apart from the Mother of God there is St. Francis (?) on top and probably St. Felix of Cantalice (1515-1587) on the bottom completely with sack for begging and his Y-topped walking stick. Unusually there are two doors - I don't know why.

Tabernale Two

2009-04-16T14:06:00.002+01:00

I love the steps leading up to the tabernacle doors. The inscription below is in Latin and is taken from the words of consecration at Mass.

Tabernacle Three

2009-04-16T13:56:00.003+01:00

They were all made by Capuchin friars and display a high level of skill and devotion. While I am not a fan of the baroque these tabernacles are so much more a statement of faith in the Real Presence than much of what we use today.
All of the above tabernacles are in the little museum attached to the Capuchin Friary at Renacavata, Camerino, La Marche, Italy.

Enameled Chalice

2009-04-09T12:32:00.003+01:00

This is the base from two sides.

Plated Chalice with enamel work

2009-04-09T12:23:00.010+01:00

While clearing our our safe for Holy Thursday the vicar discovered some chalices we have not used for awhile - eight all told and two ciboria. This is one of the chalices; there's no date on it but I'd guess it's 19th or 20th Century. We have one from 1770 which is quite beautiful in its simplicity and inscribed with the name of friar Marianis Thoma Corcoran. The stamps are quite worn from usage and cleaning. The one above is not as valuable but it is beautiful. It needs a bit of a clean and perhaps some regilding.

Baptismal Font, Gregoriou Monastery, Mt. Athos

2009-04-07T21:22:00.007+01:00

The pictures above were taken in 2005 in the monastery of Gregoriou on Mount Athos. They were taken with an old 35mm Canon. They are of the central part of the little dome over the font(?). We attended a beautiful service there before we left for Dionysiou. The faith illustrated and made visible - if only our Catholic churches could be so beautiful.

Holy Family, Aughrim St., Dublin

2009-04-01T19:28:00.000+01:00

One of the old Dublin Churches built after the lifting of the Penal Laws, Holy Family, or simply Aughrim (pronounced ock-rimStreet, is a beautiful church. It's a large but not wealthy parish, with a lot of elderly parishioners. It has two priests. The more I hear and read of what has been lost around the Catholic world the more I realise how our native Irish conservatism has preserved quite a lot of our heritage - at least more than other countries.

St. John Lateran, Rome

2009-03-25T20:59:00.000Z

Actually this church, the cathedral-basilica of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, is dedicated to Christ and St.s John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. It was built o n land belonging to the Laterani family or so I'm told. Along with St. Paul's Outside the Walls St. John Lateran is a favourite of mine. St. Peter's is too big but this church, though large is not so big that I feel overwhelmed. St Francis visited this church many times on his way to meet the Pope and a large statue of himself and his followers stands facing it. Nearby is the Cistercian abbey and church of Santa Croce (stand with your back to John Lateran and walk straight ahead) where one can see the relics of the crucifixion. We celebrated Mass here last year in the choir of the canons. The video shows the mosaics in the apse which were added to by two friars one of whom Jacopo Torriti painted the frescoes in the vault of the basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.

A Beautiful Cope with an image of the Sacred Heart;

2009-03-11T21:57:00.000Z

I also put this on my other blog but it belongs here too. Found in a drawer in our sacristy: one cope with an embroidered image of the Sacred Heart - beautiful! We already have a cope so I volunteered to find a suitable home for this one.

Theessaloniki Church 2005

2009-03-01T20:47:00.000Z

This video is from 2005. We were on our way to Mount Athos, sorry no video of the churches there - not allowed, and had to stay in Thessaloniki to get our papers checked out by the local government. So we did some sight-seeing and found this beautiful church (among many) Br. Richard Hendrick took the video. Definitely among the beautiful.

St. Paul's Outside the Walls

2009-02-08T20:25:00.000Z

I took this video last summer in St. Paul's Outside the Walls. It was my second time in Rome and that beautiful church. Of the Roman basilicas I saw it has to rank in my heart at least on a par with John Lateran. It's truly one of the good and the beautiful and the video doesn't do it justice.

Sgraffitto Chapel, Leonessa,

2009-02-08T14:19:00.000Z

Joseph of Leonessa's feast day was during the week. He was known as the 'companion killer' because he was so zealous that he would hardly rest as he walked from town to town preaching and ministering - resulting in the collapse from exhaustion of a number of friars. His body is kept in a church in the town. The Capuchin friary remains outside and the video is of its chapel. The chapel is certainly extraordinary but it couldn't be everybody's cup of tea. I think the artwork would look better on the outside of the church. Not ugly, not bad but not exactly good either. What do people think?

Upstairs Chapel Frescos, San Damiano, Assisi, Italy

2009-02-08T13:24:00.000Z

This has to be one of the good, the beautiful. I've had the privilege of joining the friars for sung evening prayer in the main chapel, sitting in the choir that goes back to St. Bernadine of Siena. The two friars who appear in the video are Adrian, (the guy telling me to shush) my guardian but soon to be novice master in Oxford, and Paul, a deacon, from Papua New Guinea. All my videos are taken on a Kodak Z1258.

The Good, the Bad and the Just Plain Ugly

2009-01-25T16:02:00.001Z

It occurred to me recently, that I could put pictures of Irish churches on my blog but I then wondered 'Why not put them on a separate blog?' Ireland has many beautiful churches from the last century (nearly everything older was 'taken away' from us). In part I am inspired by a comment by the late Sr. Aloysius McVeigh R.S.M., an iconographer, teacher, principal, ecumenist, founder-member of the Association of Iconographers of Ireland and deeply holy woman(RIP 25th December 2008) who noted that her local parish Church had been a place of continuous worship since the time of St. Columbcille (521-597). Even when the Church was burnt down the Mass was offered under a Hawthorn tree behind the apse. So in my travels and hopefully those of my brethren (and anyone else who wishes to contribute) we will collect pics of the beautiful and not so beautiful churches we have. We can then, I suppose, come to a deeper appreciation of our heritage and what fits in with it and what doesn't. The picture that dominates this page is of course from the apse of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, Rome which I think is one of Rome's most beautiful Churches after John Lateran.